I know, chest waders are the way to go but my question is will hip waders suffice? I went to academy yesterday to pick up a pair of the game winners they had on sale but found a pair of hodgmans guidelite hip waders on clearance for 40 bucks. Could not pass it up especially being on a college budget. I typically hunt out of a boat and/or shallow rivers off the bank. I figured I could just layer up. Any of yall have any experience with hodgman hip waders? At that price would they atleast work for this season?

I'd say bring them back and use the cash to get some off of craigslist

http://austin.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=waders&sort=rel

I don't like hip boots because some time in the hunt I'm going to sit in mud. Then sit in my truck. Cleaner to wear chest waders.

If you really enjoy your [censored] being wet while out in freezing temperatures you will love them.

I use both hip waders and chest waders. I wear waterproof pants when wearing hip waders so I can sit In The mud and not get wet. That is the only downside for me, but I like them in some situations.

I do prefer chest waders, but there is a time and place for hip waders, and chest waders allow you to do more and are less restrictive on where you can go.

Hip waders good as a second pair of waders, not your only pair.

I've always talked about getting some hip waders but I have yet to do so. That's be ideal in some situations.

good for scouting in your boat, but too much can happen when hunting to not have full waders.

In between for me. I've been wearing waist high for 6-7 yrs. now and prob won't ever go back to chest high. Ordered the last couple pair from Macks. They top out well above your waist anyway and i'm over 6'2"
Don't worry about dropping shoulder straps in the water while taking .... breaks in deeper water either

I got a very nice pair of Lacrosse hip waders on sale at Academy several years ago. I have gotten a lot of use out of them. Not a substitute for chest waders.